Category Archives: E. States

Haal.

What is husun al-khuluq?

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In summary excellent conduct (husun al-khuluq) is that,

1. In reply to  harm and incitement by others one  makes supplication (dua) for them or acts in an exemplary good manner.

2. Not to pay attention to the misconduct of others in the first place (i.e Ignore it).

3. Not being selfish.

4. Being very cautious not to become angry.

5. Be extremely careful not to be arrogant.

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Ahzab tahzib un nafus,  Munajat e maqbool, ((zamimajat, Saeedi)) page 306

Vienna airport

Self delusion

Recently it was mentioned that in Tasawwuf error and misguidance is most of the time because of a delusional state  resulting from lay public admiration and following.

Hakim al-Umma Shaykh Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) elaborated this very nicely in an anecdote.

There was an individual who owned a horse. This horse was of no use to him. It was a huge, lazy, stubborn and stolid creature. He ate a lot , defecated and farted much. And was totally unproductive.  Involving him in any chore led to more trouble than ease in effort of the work.  The owner tried everything possible to make him useful. However, neither reward nor punishment worked. He even resorted to amulets and wazifas. All in vain. Exasperated by this irritating creature the owner decided to get rid of him.

He went to the local market to sell this horse. He was approached by a shrewd professional agent who offered his services for selling in return for a decent commission. They agreed on it after some haggling.

The agent brought the animal on the exhibition stall and proceeded with his introduction to draw in customers. In his smart and domineering style he spoke about the noble ancestry of this Arabian stallion. He elaborated on the physical beauty of the animal. Stressing that this steed was worth a fortune. An appropriate gift for a prince. Exalting his enormous strength and stamina. Exaggerating enormously that how economically he ate and how well trained and sharp he was. A life time bargain for sale at a nominal price. He started the bidding.

The horse owner stood mesmerized at the agent’s artful speech. Before anyone else could utter a bidding price he rushed towards the agent and told him that he had changed his mind. He did not want to sell such a magnificent horse with so many qualities. He felt honored to own it.

Similar is my condition. I am well aware of my shortcomings, sins and gross transgression of Shariah,however, the kind comments, praise and admiration of others lead me to believe that there must be something special about me.

This is the self delusion.

It is very common in the religious elite.

A complete antithesis to the teachings of Tasawwuf!

Acquiring true religiosity

Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said:

“It is from suhba (pious companionship) that deen (religion) is acquired.

I swear to it that deen can not be obtained from books!

Formal religious knowledge may be achieved via reading, but true religiosity can never be obtained without serving eagerly at the footsteps of a master.

Akbar (Allahbadi ra) who was a fine poet and his verses had wisdom in them, said

دین ہوتا ہے بزرگوں کی نظر سے پیدا

Awaj e Qanowj, page 82

The Prophetic advice

 

إذا قمت في صلواتك فصل صلاة مودع 

 ولا تتكلم بكلام تعتذر منه

 واجمع الإياس مما في أيدي الناس

An individual approached Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) and requested for some concise advice.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,

At the time of offering salat, pray as if this is your last prayer.

And

Do not speak anything for which you will have to apologize later.

And

Do not have any desire for what other people possess.

Ahamd via Jawahar al-Hikam, page 23

Alchemy

ismezat

Arif-billah Shaykh Dr. Abdul Hayy Arifi (Allah have mercy on him) said;

‘For two minutes talk to Allah any time during the day telling Him,
“O Allah! I am inept, weak, unworthy, and unable to do any thing significant. Please, do have Your special benevolence for me.”
Say this all.

 Can’t you even do this?
You certainly have the power to articulate this.

(And if you do so,) Then you will see how your (spiritual) condition changes (for the better).
This is an alchemy prescription by our Shaykh Hakim al-Umma (Allah have mercy on him).’

(Malfoozat e Arifi 58)

Watching Obscenity on Internet

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A young brother inquired:

One of the sins I am involved in is watching obscene and lewd material on the internet. Please, guide me on how to stop this wretched action.

Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) replied;

“It is most essential to abandon this action right now by forcefully acting against the desires to do so.  To achieve this do not log on to the internet at all.

For this treatment to be effective make firm determination and sincere resolve.

Otherwise, remember, this is an extremely destructive sin.”

Islahi khutoot

Qabdh: Spiritual contraction

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An individual complained that from many days I feel as though the special relationship with Allah (nisbet) has been lifted from me. There remains no interest in the daily wird and worship.

Shaykh Sayyid Zawwar Hussain Shah (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘This is not the removal of nisbet. This state is called the spiritual contraction (qabdh).

The nisbet is removed by committing infidelity (kufr), associating partners with Allah (shirk), involvement in innovations (bida’) and major sins (kabair).

Whereas, the state of qabdh afflicts all including the novice and the advanced spiritual traveler. When it occurs the individual considers that this might be due to indulgence in sinful acts and therefore repents. In fact the repentance done in this state is much more sincere  than done in the state of spiritual expansion (bast).

Whenever afflicted by qabd one should increase in repentance, recite la hawla wa la quwwata illa biallah in abundance and continue with the daily wird and worship with extra effort. There should be no absence from these daily activities, even accomplishing a portion of them will suffice.’

Mahnama Tamir e ifkar, eshaet khas bayad Shaykh Syed Zawwar Hussain Shah (Allah have mercy on him), page 606-7

Love of Messenger صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم

darwazakhuld

تعصی الرسول وانت تظھرحبھ

ھذا العمری فی الفعال بدیع

لو کان حبک صادقا لاطعتھ

ان المحب لمن یحب مطیع

(ابن مبارک رح)

You disobey the Messenger صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم and claim to love him,

I swear by my life, this thing is impossible,

If you were true in your claim, you would have obeyed him,

For indeed, a lover obeys the one he loves.

مواعظ اشرفیہ: شکر النعمۃ بذکرالرحمۃ/الابقاء 1981 ص141

تصوف : محبت الھی کا چشمہ

05022010069

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مولانا سید ابوالحسن علی ندوی رحمة اللہ علیہ نے فرمایا

اگر تصوف اپنی صحیح روح اور سلوک راہ نبوت کے مطابق ھو اور

یقین ومحبت پیدا ھونے کا باعث ھو

اس سے قوت عمل، جذبہ جھاد ، عالی ھمتی ، جفاکشی

اور شوق شہادت پیدا ھونا لازمی ھے

جب محبت الھی کا چشمہ دل سے ابلے گا

تو روئیں روئیں سے یہ صدا بلند ہو گی۔

اے آنکہ زنی دم از محبت

از ھستی خویشتن پرھیز

بر خیز وبہ تیغ تیز بنشین

یا از رہ راہ دوست برخیز

Seeker’s affliction

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Sidi Ahmad Zarruq al-Barnusi al-Fasi (Allah have mercy on him) [1442 – 1493 CE] said,

I have also seen that the seekers of this age are afflicted with five things:

1.The preference of ignorance over knowledge

2. Being deluded by every spiritual impostor

3. The inability to prioritize important matters

4. Using the spiritual path as a means to inflate the selfish soul

5. Attempting to expedite a spiritual opening without fulfilling its prerequisite conditions.

This has resulted in five other afflictions:

1. Preferring innovations as opposed to the tried and true prophetic practice (Sunna)

2. Following the people of claims and conceit as opposed to the truth

3. Acting on capricious desires in all of their affairs, even the most celestial

4. Preferring fantasies to realities

5. The manifestation of claims without sincerity.

Foundations of the Spiritual Path Translated by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf Hanson

Vision of the Prophet

اللهم صل على حبيبك خير الخلق كلهم دائما” ابدا

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Shaykh Shah Wasiullah (may Allah have mercy on him) said,

“People yearn for vision of the Prophet (Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him) in their dream. However, this is not within our volitional achievements.  Therefore, I am telling you a method by which perpetual spiritual vision of the Prophet (Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him) can be achieved.

That method is, to be vigilant in keeping in mind and putting into action the Sunna of each occasion and activity. By doing so the impression and reflection of Prophet (Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him) will dominate your thoughts. And this is a magnanimous blessing!’

It is easy to say this.

In reality, in spite of being easy, recalling them (at the appropriate time) and acting on them is solely depended on facilitation (tawfiq) from Allah, Most High. In practical life usually we forget and action on Sunna is missed.  Therefore, we should (make it a habit to) supplicate, ‘O Allah! By Your mercy facilitate for us thorough following of the Sunna of your Beloved Prophet (Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him)’. ذالك فضل الله يوتيه من يشاء

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Tazkira Musleh al-Ummat ra, page 99 – 100